They're written by me, Maile Van Renselaar. I'm a new-ish mom, recovering perfectionist, and introvert weirdo extraordinaire, who really loves long run-on sentences.Part blog, part memoir, I'm sharing the stories of our unfiltered and awesomely imperfect lives to encourage other women and families to keep trying, keep failing, and keep laughing. Because let's face it, weirdness and tantrums can be hilarious.

The Latest Stories

Mother’s Day can still be rough. While I now have the most wonderful little boy in the world, the years of pain, anger, disappointment, and at times just plain despair weren’t easy, and they’ve left their scars. I fought with my body and railed against God, but ultimately, there was beauty and hope to be found in the ashes.

Part of my problem is also that I overthink things. I tell myself that I need to have the perfect photos, and perfect branding and post at the perfect time and everything needs to be, well perfect before I hit the publish button.

I love my son beyond all measure. I would gladly die to protect him. That doesn't mean that I don't occasionally find the things he does to be annoying. Or disgusting. Or possibly make me want to dive headfirst into a bottle of Xanax.

...and other things not to say to a mixed-race or foster family. Here’s a sampling of some of the actual things that I’ve been asked or that people have said to me about us. along with some suggestions on what might be better questions.

This is my life, my gift from my Creator who created it just for me. Nothing about it is perfect. Not the people, not my home, and especially not me. But when you combine them all together, it somehow works.